Monday, December 26, 2011

Revisiting "The X Factor of Being a Male Early Childhood Educator"

Due to the Christmas/New Year period, this is a repost of a post earlier this year which was a result of an idea of Deborah J. Stewart at Teach Preschool in which she challenged fellow education bloggers to post about something of interest to them as part of their profession. The challenge is to have a post about a topic that begins with each letter of the alphabet. She is calling it 'The ABCs of Teaching Preschool'.

I, rather foolishly perhaps, volunteered to post under the letter 'X' as I gathered it would be one that very few would be willing to tackle. "How brave of you" some might say, while others would more than likely chuckle as they accuse me of biting off more than I can chew. I'm tending to lean toward the second group, but am determined to soldier on nonetheless. So here goes...............

As so many pirate stories have told us, X marks the spot.

So this Xtremely different and random pirate is looking for treasure? No need as he's already found it in the everyday joys he witnesses and is a part of.

Xcessively bizarre dress ups are also part of this male's life, both as an educator and dad. Research has shown that men are often more active in physical experiences with their children. Yet there is so much fun and enjoyment in becoming involved in so many other aspects of children's lives, whether they be our own or those we work with.

Xceedingly colourful. As with Jason and his technicolour dreamcoat, this male has many hues to his personality. Sometimes he returns from work after being the canvas for the children's creativity.

Xtremely rare

and Xtremely different. No, not the creatures, but the bloke with them. We are rare because there are so few of us compared to women when it comes to working with young children. Different, partly because the genders differ in many ways, whether they be biological, physical or psychological, but also because in my experience children tend to react differently to men then they do to women.

Xactly what children need. I would hope that every early childhood professional would be, by their very nature, what the children need. Unfortunately for whatever reason this is not always the case. However, effective educators are what children and the profession need, and if more of those educators could be men then that would also meet a need of both the children and the profession.

So this Xtraordinary pirate has found his treasure, but is constantly on the lookout for more. Some may view him as bizarre, but that is fine with him as long as he can continue doing what he loves.

Search This Blog

Translate

Welcome...

To Males in Early Childhood.Australia's number #1 place for mentoring, educating and supporting the invaluable contribution males bring to Early Childhood Education.

There are many people who have contributed their time and energy to this group from it's formation until quite recently. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all their efforts in promoting child care as a viable career for men & suppoorting those coming into the industry as well as those already within it.

In particular, we need to acknowledge the dedication of Craig d'Arcy, founder of the group and it's voice, face & backbone for years. Craig worked tierlessly, on behalf of the group and the early childhood profession in general. Much of the information found on this site was compiled by Craig himself. It was through Craig's commitment, enthusiasm and perseverence that the Summit of 2006 became a reality. He was also a Leadership Team member at the World Forum for Males in Early Childhood Education in Hawaii in 2008 which brought together industry leaders from around the world to discuss this very topic.

Thank you Craig for all that you have accomplished and continue to contribute to our cause.